Monday, February 22, 2010

As a teenager in California, I would bundle up in a down coat if the temperature fell below 65 degrees. Consequently, when my family moved to Utah while I was in high school, I didn't venture out much during the wintertime. In fact, that first year my "winter" consisted solely of running from the house to the car in short little shorts at 5:45 a.m. for cheer practice; I tried not to go outside any more than was absolutely necessary.

It got better in subsequent years as I'd coax myself out of the house for a short sledding adventure every now and then. But I was convinced that all of those skiers and snowboarders who would actually make a conscious choice to spend a full day in the freezing snow were, quite simply, crazy.

Then I moved back to California and, naturally, decided that whole snowboarding thing looked fun. By now, I've learned the magical powers of Under Armour and layering, so spending an entire day in the snow is surprisingly tolerable. Moral of this story, kids? When I was back home in Utah, I went snowboarding for the first time. And it was a blast!

Since Matt's a great snowboarder and my husband, he took on the initial teaching duties.

It looked something like this...

... or this ...

... the entire time. We've since decided it's not a very good idea for men to teach their ladies how to do anything. More specifically, it's not a very good idea for Matt to teach me German, golf, or snowboarding. I make him laugh, he makes me laugh, and we get absolutely nowhere. He is also way too nice and I milk it for all it's worth: "Could you please help me up with your big, strong muscles?" "Babe, don't let me fall!" "Can't you just hold my hands the whole time, sweetheart?" Yeah.

Needless to say, I became well acquainted with "Easy Street."

Then my 16-year-old brother Christian took over teaching duties. His teaching method was less "I love you, my delicate flower" andmore "Seriously, Ashley, just do it already." It worked pretty well. Turns out, he's also full of great tips and could make good money as a ski instructor one day. Within minutes, I went from this...

... to this! Hooray!

So I graduated from the bunny hill and joined Matt, Christian and Matthew on the grown-up slopes. (I'd say "Hooray!" again, but I don't want to go overboard.)

9 comments:

seriously snowboarding is SO hard, Cody tried to teach me one day and that was NOT working out! Same thing as Matt, he was just TOO nice! I need your brother to teach me haha. I love the last pic, it could be in a Snoboarding MAGAZINE!!!

I'm happy you got out and braved the snow! It is gorgeous when you get out and yes, after 5 years here in Utah, I have finally figured out the layering too! I laughed about your story though, Kenneth is more like Christian than Matt...he just tells me to get up and go, and when I fall..."it doesn't hurt!" Oh goodness! I finally got the hang of it this last Friday when we went. That was a HUGE victory for me!

how fun you went and tried it out for the first time! nate used to tell me to go skiing with him but i'm like you - i don't like the cold - so he's stopped trying to convince me. maybe i should try it out though cause i'd probably like it :) and i love the last pic of you two...so cute!!

You guys make everything look like so much fun and you always look gorgeous like you just stepped out of a magazine!! Snowboarding is DIFFICULT, I tried once in high school and spent the entire day on the bunny hill, either on my knees or on my bum! Ha ha. Not to mention, they had to stop the ski lift for me every time I got on or off because apparently I am not coordinated enough to do it at the normal pace for everyone else! How embarrassing!!

I am like you, I don't like being cold! Breezy's comment was really funny and very true. We always stood in the gym freezing to death in our little cheer shorts and t-shirts! What were we thinking?! It's fun to look back on the old days. :)

Anyway, you need to call me soon so we can catch up. I miss you! It makes me sad that we don't talk as much as we used to. I hope you guys are doing well and enjoying Cali! Love ya!

Yay. I'm so excited for you. I know what you mean about your husband teaching you...however instead of me being sweet, it was more like "I know already" hehe. He however was very patient and sweet. Good job Ash!